After Eight Oriental Lily

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

1-2 Feet

Mature Spread

1 Foot

Growing Zones

4 to 8

Ornamental lilies do not get much easier to grow than After Eight. This improved variety has a dense, compact shape with giant pink flowers. There is no need for extra support for the sturdy thick stems, and the intense spicy scent from one of these flowers is enough to fill an entire room. Each plant grows to a height of 2 feet, making it great in a container or as an edging plant.

After Eight Lily is a hardy perennial bulb that reliably returns in USDA zones 4-8. This lily is resistant to pests, diseases, and deer browsing. The bulbs are good spreaders and will multiply at a moderate rate. After Eight can be grown in the garden or a container and is perfect as a long-lasting cut flower. Seasonal maintenance for After Eight Lily is minimal, while it provides a long season of blooming.

After Eight Oriental Lily Care

Oriental Lilies prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil and good drainage for their bulbs. Make sure to site the plant or pot in a spot with full sun with at least 6 hours of direct exposure. Oriental Lilies will need regular watering as soon as the flower buds appear. Water deeply when 2-3 inches of the topsoil have dried out. Mulch the bulbs with shredded leaves or arborist chips to help retain moisture in the soil and add nutrients as they decompose. Seasonal application of a balanced fertilizer is best done in the spring before new growth emerges. Use a granular, slow-release formulation for even feeding all season.

After Eight Lilies do not require any special pinching of the top growth to grow bushy. Regular deadheading of the spent blooms will encourage a longer bloom time. Only cut back the top growth after the whole stem has died back. Bulbs rely on their green stems and leaves after blooming to produce nutrients in their bulbs for the following year. Removing top growth too early will result in the eventual decline of the bulb. Gardeners in the colder growing zones will need to mulch the plants well in fall with shredded leaves or fine arborist chips. This will help mark the location of the plants and provide extra insulation in case of a frigid winter.

After Eight Oriental Lily Spacing

Lilies look best when planted in large groups or alongside companion plants. Space the plants 8-10 inches apart on center when planting many lilies together. Lilies can also be underplanted near late summer-blooming perennials. Layering the garden bed with Rudbeckias, Dahlias, or Asters will help to hide the Lilies' stems as they slowly die back over late summer. Plant After Eight in a container with at least an 8-inch diameter if growing by itself.